Notaries in Malta
Find a notary for a property purchase, a will, an inheritance or a signature that needs authenticating, and ask how the fee is worked out before you book.
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List your businessAbout notaries in Malta
A notary in Malta is a public officer, not an adviser hired to argue your side. The notary drafts and publishes deeds such as property sales, donations and loans secured on property, receives wills and keeps the original acts, so later copies come from that office. Notaries also authenticate signatures, certify copies and take sworn declarations.
Most people need one when they buy or sell property, when a relative dies and the estate has to be declared, or when they want to make or change a will. Expats often need a signature authenticated on a document going abroad. For a dispute, a court case or advice on your rights against someone else, you need a lawyer instead.
The notary's own fee follows an official tariff, so the type of deed and the value in it matter most. A property deed also brings searches, registration and taxes that the notary collects and passes on. Ask for a written estimate that splits the notary's fee from duties and registry costs, so you can see where the money goes.
What you can hire them for
- Final deed of sale for a flat or house
- Promise of sale before the final deed
- Title search on a property you are buying
- Public will or a change to an existing will
- Declaration causa mortis after a death
- Donation of property within the family
- Power of attorney
- Authenticating a signature on a private document
- Certified true copy of a document
- Sworn declaration
What to ask before you hire
- 1
Can you confirm you are on the current list of notaries practising in Malta and Gozo?
- 2
Can I have a written estimate that splits your fee from taxes, duties and registry costs?
- 3
Will you carry out the title search yourself, and what will it cover?
- 4
Which documents do you need from me, and how long before the deed?
- 5
Can the deed be drawn up in English, and will you read it through with me before I sign?
- 6
Who in your office will I deal with day to day?
Good to know in Malta
- Under the Notarial Profession and Notarial Archives Act (Cap. 55), notaries are public officers who receive acts inter vivos and wills, give them public faith, keep them in custody and issue copies and extracts. Source
- Notaries are appointed for life by the President of Malta by a notice in the Government Gazette. Anyone else who calls themselves a notary or claims to be entitled to practise as one commits an offence. Source
- Each January the Chief Notary to Government posts on a government website a list of the notaries practising in Malta and Gozo, and of the notaries who keep the acts of deceased or retired notaries. Source
- Notarial fees and accessory charges are those fixed in the tariff in the Schedule to Cap. 55. If an act is null or annullable because of the notary, the notary is not entitled to a fee or expenses. Source
- When a notary publishes a deed transferring immovable property, the buyer is treated as having instructed the notary to examine the title, unless the buyer exempts or limits this in the deed. Source
- A practising notary may not also hold a warrant as an advocate or legal procurator, or work as an estate agent or similar broker. Source
Questions
How much does a notary charge in Malta?
The notary's own fee is set by the tariff in the notarial law, so it mostly depends on the type of deed and the value in it. On a property deed, a large part of the bill is often taxes, duties and registry charges that the notary collects for the authorities. Ask each notary for a written estimate that lists fee, expenses and taxes separately.
Is there a notary near me or open now in Malta?
Notaries work from offices across Malta and Gozo and set their own hours. For a quick job such as authenticating a signature or certifying a copy, call or WhatsApp and ask for a short slot, then bring photo ID and the original document. Deeds and wills take preparation, so book those well ahead of the date you need.
How do I check someone is a notary in Malta?
Notaries are appointed by the President of Malta, and the appointment is published in the Government Gazette. The Chief Notary to Government also posts a yearly list of notaries practising in Malta and Gozo on a government website. Ask for the notary's full name and look for it there. Calling yourself a notary without that appointment is an offence.
Do I need a notary or a lawyer?
A notary prepares and publishes deeds, receives wills and authenticates documents as a public officer for all parties. A lawyer advises you and takes your side, for example in a dispute, a separation or a permit appeal. For a property purchase you need a notary for the deed. In Malta one person cannot practise as a notary while holding an advocate's warrant.
How do I contact a notary in Malta?
Open a profile and call, message, email or visit their website. You contact them direct, and there are no fees.
Does Tminta charge a fee?
No. Searching and contacting notaries on Tminta is free. You deal with them direct.
I am a notary. How do I get listed?
Add your business for free on the "List your business" page. If you are already listed, open your page and claim it to update your details.